NZ V8: David Besnard Teretonga race notes

WIN PUTS BESNARD BACK IN THE HUNT FOR NZV8 CHAMPIONSHIP
Gold Coast driver David Besnard has rocketed back into contention
for the NZV8 Championship courtesy of an impressive victory in last
weekend's penultimate round of the championship at ...

WIN PUTS BESNARD BACK IN THE HUNT FOR NZV8 CHAMPIONSHIP

Gold Coast driver David Besnard has rocketed back into contention
for the NZV8 Championship courtesy of an impressive victory in last
weekend's penultimate round of the championship at Invercargill.

After finishing fifth during the opening race in Saturday aboard his
Hydraulink Falcon Besnard crossed the line second in yesterday morning's
16-lap journey.

His natural talent then shone through during the final 20-lap, full
reverse grid, race. Besnard started from near the back of the field in
position 24 before slicing his way towards the front of the pack and
across the line 1.5 seconds clear of his nearest rival margin.

The resulting round win moves Besnard to third in the standings -- 80
points off the lead.

"It was an awesome race -- that was more like it and I've missed it. I
love coming through the traffic like that and provided you can stay out
of trouble it's an easy way to get championship points," said Besnard.

"It's not easy to come through the field like that, but it's also not
impossible is it? So now we've got the points to put us back in to
contention for the final round back at Pukekohe -- somewhere I know.

"It's good for me and for the team. It's a shame we couldn't do the same
last weekend but it closes up the championship for us. Now we just have
to repeat our previous winning performance at Pukekohe."

With double drive duties, Besnard wasn't able to collect his prized
winning trophy -- instead he was back on the race grid for the start of
the New Zealand Grand Prix in the Hydraulink-backed Toyota Racing Series
car.

His hopes of securing dual victories were dashed when mechanical
ailments started to affect the performance of his Toyota Racing Series
car.

First it was an engine misfire that was costing him time in two key
right-hand corners before he suddenly became a passenger as a crucial
front suspension bolt broke.

"I was biding my time and everything was running sweet when I went to
brake and the car took off towards the wall. Aside from trying to keep
it together, it wasn't obvious as to what happened -- it just took me
for a ride," said Besnard.

Able to get back on to the track without losing too many positions,
Besnard pitted for the team to find camber shims had fallen out when a
bolt sheared.

"It was tough with a one-off like this -- especially in a lease car you
don't know anything about -- you just don't know what sort of package
you're getting. At the end of the race I was pushing hard to keep my
concentration," added Besnard.